Let me preface this post by saying I don’t claim to be a blogging expert at all. This isn’t my first blog and I’m certain it won’t be my last. I started many years ago on the Blogger platform, eventually transitioned to WordPress, and now on to…hold that thought. I’ll get to the details shortly.

One of the common questions I’ve received over the past few weeks has been…Kristina, I want to start a blog, but where do I start and what do I write about?

So here it is! Here’s a bit of my history as a blogger (I’ll try not to make it too long-winded), insight into the tools and resources I use, and even a sneak peek into what’s next on the list of things to do.

In the interest of complete transparency, I don’t remember what my first blog was about. It was on the Blogger platform and the background was pink. Clearly it wasn’t a winner in my book.

Fast forward several months later to my attempt at a WordPress blog that lasted every bit of one month. I wrote one or two posts, but could never get it off the ground. I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing and wasn’t aware that there were tons of resources available. The WordPress platform and the logistics behind the platform were a little too complicated for me at the time. I purchased my domain name through WordPress and held onto it just in case I decided to return.

Fast forward a little more to my KB Career Solutions, LLC business, which I created on the Weebly platform using the domain I purchased from WordPress. Complicated? Not really. A little trial and error and it hummed like a well-oiled machine.

And here we are today with my Virtual Six-Figure Mom blog built on the Weebly platform using a GoDaddy domain. Some of you are probably shaking your heads already because WordPress and Squarespace are considered the cream of the crop and many look down on all of the other platforms. Here’s what I’d say to those of you who are getting started and not sure of which platform to select -

​DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU!

Stock Photo Courtesy of Rekita Nicole

I am a busy single mom and my time is precious. Learning the intricacies of the WordPress platform weren’t at the top of the list of things to do, so I chose something I could get off the ground and maintain myself. I heard about the Weebly platform from my first coach, Samantha Gregory (check her out HERE), and she happens to be a tech guru. She knew I needed something simple and the drag-and-drop format of Weebly was exactly that! I built my website with ease and the help of the following tools and resources:

Fiverr - Here’s where I found $5 gigs for everything from logo creation to sales copy to several other virtual assistant services. Before you get excited I’ll say that there are definitely some less-than-stellar service providers here. Check the reviews and go with your gut. Let me know if you need a few suggestions and I’ll help in any way I possibly can.

Canva - How did I create the blog post/social media images I’m using right here in this post and throughout this site? Canva! You already know I’m not very techy, so that should tell you that Canva is a simple tool that’s extremely user-friendly. You can use the images they provide (many of which are FREE) or upload your own. You can create everything from social media images with varying dimensions to eBooks to logos.

Buffer - Kristina, how do you get people to read your blog posts? Share, share, share - more than once with the help of Buffer. While pins on Pinterest last for months, tweets on Twitter only last for minutes. Buffer is another user-friendly tool that allows you to load posts for your favorite social media platforms to be shared on the days and at the times you choose, being mindful of the lifespan of certain social media posts. There’s a FREE version with limits, of course, and a paid version for $10 a month that allows for unlimited posts.

I won’t get into all of the other tools like list-building with MailChimp and Selz for selling products like downloads and eBooks. Feel free to send me a note if you’d like to chat more about those tools or have questions about something you’ve seen me use here on the site.

Another question I’ve received a few times?

Kristina, I think I know what I want to blog about but I’m not 100% certain. What should I do?

Start today. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and start writing. I started writing about career advice because, as you all know, I’m a Recruiter and certified HR professional. I simply started writing. I was hesitant to share, at first, but the more confident I became about the true value of my expertise, the more I knew it would be selfish of me to keep all of that knowledge to myself.

Start sharing and be sure to build a community along the way. Connect with others who share your interests on social media. Join Pinterest groups like this one I’ve started HERE and share, share, share. Become connected in Facebook groups. Share, share, share, and share some more. Someone needs to hear what you have to say. Someone can and will benefit from your experiences.

What’s next?

So many of you find value in this Virtual Six-Figure Mom blog and I don’t take that for granted. It’s heart-warming and very encouraging. With that said, I’ll continue to share my journey with you all and include tips and resources in each and every post.

As a single mom who loves to travel, I can totally see something along the lines of a travel blog in the not-too-distant future. There’s a single mom out there who thinks international travel with her children is out of reach, so my posts will be for her to not only show her that it’s possible, but to also show her how to make it a reality for her family.

Will I continue to use Weebly or consider other platforms?

I am open to making the transition to a new platform when the time is right and I have solid tech support to make it happen without any interruptions. Will that happen today or tomorrow? Highly unlikely. :)

Okay…keep the questions coming.
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Recap:

Do what works best for you. Take a look at the various platforms available and read the reviews.

Pick a topic you’re passionate about and have experience in.

Start writing and sharing…and sharing…and more sharing.

If you’ve made it to the end of this post and learned a thing or two, then WOW! I veered off my normal work-from-home path to answer a few questions and hopefully give some guidance. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Author

Kristina Butler is a Certified HR Professional and FT Virtual Recruiter for a major financial services firm. As the working mother of two and the working daughter of aging parents, she understands the importance of landing an opportunity with the ideal compensation and work-life balance.

Some items on this website may contain affiliate links, which simply means I may receive a small amount compensation to cover the costs associated with producing this blog when click on the link and/or make a purchase. Please know that all opinions are 100% my own and I am committed to only sharing high quality content you all.

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